NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Less thank 500 tickets remain for a star-studded lineup of country’s biggest names, which are scheduled to perform for the inaugural Shine for Susie ALS Benefit Concert on Dec. 4 at the historic Ryman Auditorium at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the ALS Association of Tennessee and the Burchett & Liles family to raise funds in the fight against ALS.

Tickets for the concert went on sale Friday, October 20, 2017 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, the Ryman box office, http://www.ryman.com and by phone at 800.745.3000. Tickets are $125, $75 and $55.

Shine for Susie ALS Benefit Concert was formed as a partnership between The ALS Association of Tennessee and the Burchett & Liles Family to raise funds in the fight against ALS. Susie Burchett, mother of Stephen Barker Liles from Love and Theft, was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017.

“I’ve had the privilege of helping with many charities through the years, but when the cause touches your life, it changes everything,” said Stephen Barker Liles from Love and Theft. “When my mother was diagnosed with ALS, in March of this year, I was devastated. But I also felt called to make a difference to help her and others through my musical platform. I’m incredibly grateful for some of my dear friends who are joining me to shine light through our music and bring hope to millions.”

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which often leads to total paralysis and death within two to five years of diagnosis. For unknown reasons, NFL players are four times as likely to develop ALS and veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population.

The simple fact is, ALS can strike anyone, anytime.

“There are so many important causes that merit our support,” the Burchett and Liles family said. “Often however, we don’t choose those causes…they choose us. For our family, having our mother, wife, grandmother diagnosed with ALS presented a galvanizing opportunity to support the needed cause of ALS. We hope this event will provide more awareness, funds for research, and financial support to all touched by this debilitating disease.”

For information on sponsorship packages or if you have any additional questions before you purchase, please contact Ashlee Moon at 615.331.5556 or send an email to ashlee.moon@alstn.org.

“We are thrilled to curate this first-of-its-kind unique concert experience for the Tennessee Chapter alongside the Burchett and Liles Family, the enthusiasm and willingness this family has brought to the table to secure some of the industry’s most talented artists to perform in not only an amazing show for the ALS community but continues to work tirelessly with our team to create an unforgettable musical experience,” said Steve Wallace, CEO of The ALS Association of Tennessee.

“Our Chapter is forever grateful to have the partnership between the Burchett and Liles Family alongside all the musical guests, who have graciously lent their time and talents to support of the Association’s efforts in brightening the lives of thousands of ALS patients and families in our community,” said Wallace.

About The ALS Association Tennessee Chapter

The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting ALS on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.ALSTN.org.

About Shine for Susie ALS Charity Fund

Shine for Susie ALS Charity Fund was formed by the Burchett & Liles Family to raise funds in the fight against ALS after Susie Burchett, wife, mother and grandmother of the family, was diagnosed with ALS in March 2017.

100 percent of every dollar raised goes toward projects to help those who protect our Freedom.

TAMPA, Fla. – On Wednesday, participating Taco Bell and IHOP restaurant locations throughout the southeastern U.S. kicked off their annual fundraising campaign to support the Armed Forces Families Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping military families.

“We’re excited to kick off this annual fundraiser and so thankful for our partner Taco Bell and IHOP locations,” said John Wright, a member of the board at AFFF. “We’re also happy to announce that we recently achieved a major milestone. Since forming 10 years ago, the Armed Forces Families Foundation, has raised and given back more than $2 million towards projects benefiting military members, veterans and their families, and it wouldn’t have been possible without this support.”

Diners at participating Taco Bell and IHOP locations wishing to support military families may do so by purchasing a paper icon for $1 or more. At IHOP, donors will receive a coupon for a free stack of three buttermilk pancakes, while at Taco Bell, donors will receive a coupon for a free soft or crunchy original seasoned beef taco. The coupons are good for the donor’s next visit and are available while supplies last.

AFFF is unique in that it provides 100 percent of the funds raised to the development of permanent or semi-permanent infrastructure projects to help military families. With no overhead, AFFF is entirely comprised of volunteers giving donors the confidence that all of their contribution will be used to support projects, which help military families.

“We’re very fortunate to have a single private donor that funds all of the administrative costs, so literally every penny of every dollar raised goes directly to projects in the local community,” said Wright. “More than anything, we’re thankful for our Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy servicemembers, veterans and their families. The sacrifices they make and have made are forever cherished.”

Recent AFFF projects include:

$26,282 for the purchase of supplies and additional renovation costs for a new USO at Naval Air Station Corry

$35,933.84 in funding for the creation of a new USO center and family care facility at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown

$31,978 for the construction of an event pavilion at the Asheville, N.C. VA hospital

$14,994 purchase of 25 new HP ProBook computers and needed materials for Fort Gordon’s Freedom Park School in Georgia

$26,282 to upgrade entertainment systems within the USO Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida

$46,000 to install a new playground, accessible to over 300 families stationed on MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa, Florida

Funds raised through this campaign will stay in the local region where they were raised and will help local projects that support the families of those serving in military. For a list of participating locations, click here.

About Armed Forces Families Foundation:

The Armed Forces Families Foundation, together with participating Taco Bell and IHOP restaurants, are proud supporters of America’s Armed Forces and their families. The Armed Forces Families Foundation with its Taco Bell and IHOP partners have raised over $2 million. 100 percent of every dollar raised goes toward projects to help those who protect our Freedom. For more information, please visit http://www.armedforcesfamilies.org/

About Taco Bell

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is the nation’s leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant (QSR) brand. From breakfast to late night, Taco Bell serves made-to-order and customizable tacos and burritos, among other craveable choices, and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations proudly serve over 42 million customers each week through 7,000 restaurants across the nation, as well as through its mobile, desktop and delivery ordering services. Overseas, Taco Bell has over 250 restaurants, with plans to add 2,000 more restaurants internationally within the next decade. The brand encourages its fans to “Live Mas” and connects with them through sports, gaming and new music via its Feed The Beat® music program. Taco Bell also provides education opportunities and serves the community through its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™, and connects fans with their passions through programs such as the Live Mas Scholarship program. In 2016, Taco Bell was named as one of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World.

About International House of Pancakes

For nearly 60 years, IHOP has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh, made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. Today, there are more than 1,700 IHOP restaurants around the world, including restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and The Philippines. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) and its affiliates.